Church of Nativity terrorists complain: we want to return to West Bank
[IMRA: These Palestinian terrorists took hostages in the Church of the
Nativity. The press release and statement below, coordinated and
distributed by the Palestinian Authority, is indicative that the attitude of
the PA towards terrorism and terrorists has not changed.]

Press Conference

Church of Nativity Deportees: Marking the First Anniversary of their
Deportation

EXCLUSIVE - International Press Center
http://www.ipc.gov.ps//ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_Conferences/2003/conf-004.html
[Official arm of the PA]

May 7, 2003

Mr. Hatem Hmood, one of the Palestinian deportees in the Bethlehem crisis,
asserted that the deportation of 26 Palestinian citizens from their homes to
Gaza Strip, and 13 others to European countries, is considered as a
violation of human rights, and compared to an assassination.

Speaking in a press conference held at the premises of the International
Press Center (IPC) in Gaza, in which representatives of the High Follow up
Committee for National and Islamic Parties, the Advocate Syndicate and 26
Palestinian deportees from Bethlehem, Mr. Hmood announced that on May 10,
which will mark the exact day of their deportation, a series of activities
aiming to revive the incident, including a letter addressed to Mr. Kofi
Annan, the UN Secretary General, demanding his immediate intervention for
their return.

On his part, Mr. Kayed Al Ghoul, representing the High Follow up Commission,
said that the Palestinian people is still facing the same policy the
occupying forces used since 1948, and they're still met with silence from
the international community.

Mr. Al Ghoul also added that the period of their deportation wasn't
determined by the Israeli government, which further inflame the crime. He
warned of that world silence on such a matter might form a motive for Israel
to start practicing mass deportations, a thing they were preparing since the
early stages of the war on Iraq, using the attention it drew from the media.

Al Ghoul called upon all interested national parties to work together and
exert more pressure on the international community and on the Israeli
government to stop these crimes, and to stress on the Palestinians' right of
return.

Speaking of a legal point of view, Mr. Abdel Rahman Abu Naser, head of the
Palestinian bar association, considered the deportation of Palestinian
strugglers as an outrageous violation of article 49 of the 4th Geneva
Convention, and that it's considered a war crime.

Mr. Abu Naser said that the Israeli government's legal advisor tried to
cover up for this war crime, by deporting 26 of them to Gaza Strip, which is
among Palestinian Authority's jurisdiction, but a group of several
Palestinian and international law makers agreed that this would also be
considered a war crime, and a violation to the international humanitarian
law.

Abu Naser demanded all attending reporters and media outlets to intensify
their coverage of such deportations, and shed more light on their
consequences and ramifications.

In the end of the conference, a representative of the Palestinian deportees
in Gaza read a statement on their behalf, condemning this crime, and calling
on all interested parties, whether local or international, to join them in
the activities they will hold in Gaza City, to mark the first anniversary of
their deportation from their homes.

+++
Press Statement

Palestinian Deportees of the Church of Nativity
http://www.ipc.gov.ps//ipc_e/ipc_e-1/e_Conferences/2003/conf-006.html
[Official website of the PA]

Gaza, May 7, 2003

Our journey of suffering began on the same day when Israeli occupation
forces invaded the city of Bethlehem on April 1, 2002, commencing intensive
shelling of Palestinian homes and institutions in the city of Jesus Christ.
In the mean time the Palestinian leadership was being besieged and several
other Palestinian cities, towns and refugee camps were being attacked. This
aggression did not hinder our efforts and determination to defend our city.
Subsequent to this bloody onslaught, we took refuge in the Church of
Nativity, on which the Israeli troops imposed a tight siege, denying us
water, medication and food, and we were forced to eat grass.

Ten hostages were killed including two monks, one of them was the bell man,
and 27 others were wounded. Some of the victims bled to death due to Israeli
blocking of access of ambulances and paramedics into the blockaded church.

Throughout this harsh suffering no help was given from any party and we
began to question the role of the international community; human rights, and
the disregard to the holy places especially the Church of Nativity.

Based on our strong believe in our faith, our right to liberate our land and
defend our holy places, we became determined not to succumb to the Israeli
occupation and therefore, we faced the Israeli siege of the Church for 40
days under harsh conditions in which we helplessly experienced the death of
our brothers who bled severely before our eyes.

Sharon's government pressurized the Palestinian leadership which had to
submit to the Israeli demand to expel 13 hostages to a number of European
countries and 26 others to Gaza Strip.

We, the Palestinian Deportees of the Church of Nativity demand the
following:

1. The international community to hold its responsibilities in ending our
suffering by insuring safe return back to our home city of Bethlehem.

2. The newly appointed Palestinian government and the Palestinian
Legislative Council to debate the deportation policy, as well as the
prisoners issue and to work out ways to end such serious problems.

3. The International Red Cross to help solve our problem and return all
deportees back to their homes.

4. The Participation of Palestinian Islamic and national forces and masses
in the "Set In" to be held on May 10, 2003 at the Red Cross office in Gaza
to protest the Israeli deportation policy.

5. The participation in the "Return Rally" which will start on Sunday
morning at 10:00 am, May 11, 2003. The rally begins from Hamouda gas
station, Salaha Eldin road, near Beit Hanoun checkpoint.